Leasa Hester

Executive Assistant

Leasa began her career with The Sunray Companies in 2001, as the first corporate office employee when the company had 4 units. She has been involved in all aspects of the growth of the company and now, in addition to assisting Mr. Harrigill with day to day operations, she oversees the Human Resources and Payroll functions. Her willingness to evolve with the changing needs of a growing company has been essential to the success of The Sunray Companies.  Leasa and her husband James have six children and 15 grandchildren.

“Never let your work drive you. Master it and keep it in complete control.”

Ben Sweetland

Judy Qualls

Recruiting & Retention Manager

Originally from Jackson, MS, Judy has lived in Madison for over 25 years. A graduate of Jackson Preparatory School and Mississippi State University, Judy enjoyed a long and successful career in state government for over 28 years including education. Her strengths are people and relationships. Her path with The Sunray Companies began in December 2022, and she is excited to see where it takes her!

A recent widow, Judy has two beautiful daughters, Kristen and Katie, as well as 2 precious yorkies, Bandit and Baxter.

“How lucky I am to have had something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

Winnie the Pooh

Rita Livits

Human Resources Assistant

Originally from Aurora, Colorado, Rita moved to Ridgeland, Mississippi with her boyfriend of 10 years immediately after graduating college in the Spring of 2022. She is a Cum Laude graduate from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and minors in Criminal Justice and American Sign Language.

Rita joined The Sunray Companies in November 2022 as the Human Resources Assistant. She is responsible for the new hire onboarding process, payroll, benefits and other HR-related duties. Prior to Sunray, Rita was an Employer Relations Specialist for the Colorado State University Career Center where she helped onboard new student employees to work on campus as well as help vet potential employers.

Rita has two cats named Coco and Pebbles (just like the cereal) who are the absolute lights of her life.

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Vallie Castle

Marketing Manager

Born and raised in central Mississippi and an Alpha Omega graduate from St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, Vallie attended The University of Alabama. During her time there, she was active in the Communications and Information Sciences school. Vallie served as treasurer on the Advertising & Public Relations Student Initiative Board and was active in many other organizations. She ultimately earned her bachelor’s degree in Advertising and English after three and a half amazing years.

Out of college, Vallie started a career in retail at a boutique where she quickly gained necessary management experience. Her retail work also involved a great deal of social media, planning, merchandising and graphic design.

Vallie joined Sunray as Marketing Manager in August of 2022. Her current role allows and challenges her to bring creative freedom and new ideas to the table.

Outside of work, Vallie enjoys travelling, being with family and friends, and lots of retail therapy. She currently resides in Jackson, MS and is set to marry her high-school sweetheart in the Fall of 2023.

“We know what we are but not what we might be.”

William Shakespeare

Christie Ulmer

Accounts Payable Manager

A Mississippi native, Christie joined the Sunray team in February 2020 where she is utilizing her 17 plus years of experience in accounting in both payables and receivables. Christie is currently attending Belhaven University and plans to graduate in August with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Accounting. She will then pursue her Master’s degree at Mississippi State University. She and her husband, Todd, live in Brandon and have been married for ten years with four children and three grandchildren.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

Allison Heimer

Accounting Clerk

A long-time resident of Madison, MS, Allison graduated from Mississippi College with a BSBA in Accounting, and a M.Ed. degree. She was an accountant for a public accounting firm, before changing careers to become a teacher. Now back in the accounting field, Allison is looking towards earning her CPA.

She has a 13-year-old daughter Nicole, and a Yorkie named Jake. When she is not working, she loves to spend time with her family and friends.

“What you are thinking is what you are becoming.”

Muhammad Ali

Katie Fratesi

Operations Assistant

Katie is originally from Leland, MS and has lived in central Mississippi for three years. Katie graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. She has been at The Sunray Companies since November of 2021 as Operations Assistant. In her role, Katie handles a breadth of responsibilities including multiple divisional reporting, design assistance for retail location remodels, facilities management assistance for tenant locations, Sunray culture execution both in the office and for our field, and juggles multiple other projects. Katie also steps in to help whenever needed, without hesitation.

Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time with her family, including her niece, Malia, and nephew, Eric Jr. She also spends many weekends in Starkville at Mississippi State University sporting events.

“There is only one corner you are in control of and that is yours so let your light shine bright from it.”

Kendyl Bagwell

Jody Logan

Construction Supervisor

Jody, a native of Yazoo City, was a custom home contractor for 18 years and a member of the Mississippi Home Builders Association. Jody joined The Sunray Companies in August 2004 as a working construction superintendent. His first project was the Palm Beach Center in Ridgeland. In his 13 years with our company, Jody has completed over 20 construction projects including build-outs of our six Palm Beach Tans, 11 of our Massage Envy clinics, renovation of two hotels, and the renovation of our corporate office building in Madison. He also perfected techniques in Uniflex roof coating systems and parking lot sealcoating. Jody currently resides in Brandon and has two sons.

“Keep on keeping on.”

Anonymous